LASA risk | Data source | Criteria | Identification of high-alert medications* |
Name of active substance or generic name | ADC inventory reports | At least the first five (5) letters must be the same or 3–4 identical letters and otherwise similar spelling9 20 | Yes |
Brand name | ADC inventory reports | At least the first five (5) letters must be the same or 3–4 identical letters and otherwise similar spelling9 20 | Yes |
The appearance of the package | Visual observation | In the same storage unit close to each other. At least the colouring or size, or both, of the outer packaging look alike. If other LASA risks are noted, the inner packaging was also acknowledged | Yes |
Nordic article number or other identification number | ADC inventory reports | Considered if there is at least one of the aforementioned LASA risks and at least the first four (4) of the numbers are the same or the series of numbers are otherwise similar | Yes |
*Based on the ISMP8 and the HUS Helsinki University Hospital’s intensive care units high-alert medication lists.
ADC, automated dispensing cabinet; LASA, look-alike, sound-alike.